Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that
attacks the nervous system
Rabies is a disease of warm-blooded animals
In Maryland, rabies is most often found in raccoons,
skunks, foxes, cats, bats, and groundhogs. Other mammals
including dogs, ferrets, and farm animals can get rabies
if they are not vaccinated. Rabies is rarely reported
in rabbits and small rodents, such as squirrels, hamsters,
guinea pigs, gerbils, chipmunks, rats, and mice. Many
recent human rabies cases in the United States have been
associated with bats. Although people usually know when
a bat has bitten them, bats have small teeth that may
not leave marks on the skin.
Rabies is usually spread to humans through the
bite of an infected (“rabid”) animal
Other possible exposures include getting infected saliva
from a rabid animal into an open wound or in the eyes,
nose, or mouth. Rabies is not spread by petting a rabid
animal or contact with blood, urine, or feces (stool).
Rabies virus infects the brain and spinal cord
of animals and humans
Rabies in animals causes paralysis and changes in behavior.
Animals may become very aggressive or unusually friendly.
Muscles of the throat and jaw may become paralyzed and
cause drooling. Seizures are common. In humans, the virus
causes fever, headaches, unusual tingling sensation, confusion,
tightening of the throat muscles, hydrophobia (fear of
water), and seizures. The disease rapidly progresses to
paralysis, coma, and death. Rabies is almost always fatal.
Rabies in humans can be prevented by getting
rabies shots
- Rabies shots given soon after an exposure will prevent
rabies.
- Pre-exposure rabies vaccinations should be considered
if you
1) Have frequent contact with potentially rabid animals;
or
2) Will be traveling in a foreign country and you are
likely to come in contact with animals in an area where
dog rabies is common and prompt access to appropriate
medical care may be limited.
If you are bitten by or exposed to an animal
that may be rabid, you should:
- If it is a wild animal, try to trap it if you can
do so safely. If the animal must be killed, try not
to damage the head.
- If it is an owned animal, get the animal owner’s
name, address, and telephone number.
- Immediately wash the wound well with soap and water;
if available, use a disinfectant to flush the wound.
- Get prompt medical attention.
- Immediately report the exposure to your local animal
control agency, health department, or police.
- Consider treatment if a bat was present and exposure
cannot be reasonably ruled out (e.g., a sleeping person
awakens to find a bat in the room, or an adult sees
a bat in the room with a previously unattended child
or mentally disabled or intoxicated person).
Exposure to rabies can be prevented
- Do not approach, handle, or feed wild or stray animals.
- Have your dogs, cats, and ferrets vaccinated against
rabies and keep the vaccinations up-to-date.
- Do not leave pets outside unattended or allow them
to roam free.
- Cover garbage cans tightly and do not leave pet food
outside; this may attract wild and stray animals.
- Teach children to stay away from wild animals or
animals that they do not know.
- Prevent bats from entering your home by using window
screens and chimney caps and by closing any openings
greater than ¼ inch by ½ inch. Bats found
in the home should be safely collected, if possible,
and tested for rabies.
- Wear gloves when handling an animal if it has been
in a fight with another animal. Keep it away from people
and other animals and call your veterinarian or local
health department to report the animal exposure.
Center for Veterinary Public
Health
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Maryland Department of Health & Mental
Hygiene
Office of Epidemiology and Disease Control Programs
May 2002 |
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